What are the WORST Car Mod Trends? Scotto, Zack and Zac Debate!

VLT (Visible Light Transmission) rating tells you how much visible light passes through a lens or tint. A lower VLT number means darker tint, which reduces glare but can make driving at night harder.

“Limo tint” is a slang term for very dark window tint or lens tint. It’s often associated with reduced visibility and can be illegal depending on local regulations.

A seven-post suspension rig is a test platform that uses multiple hydraulic posts to simulate road inputs while keeping the vehicle stable. It lets engineers evaluate suspension behavior under controlled conditions without needing real-world driving.

KW is a suspension-focused brand known for aftermarket shock absorbers and coilover systems. Here, they’re presented as the experts who use their suspension rig to develop and validate products.

The hosts frame the episode as a debate about the worst aftermarket modification trends rather than the best ones. They’re focusing on trends from roughly the last decade and ranking the “worst five.”

The firing order is the specific sequence in which an engine’s cylinders ignite. It’s designed to balance smoothness, vibration, and power delivery, and changing it (or using the wrong order) can cause misfires or severe running issues.

“Don’t meet your hero’s cars” is a concept where enthusiast “dream” cars are judged after real-world exposure, often revealing flaws or mismatches with the hype. It frames the episode’s debate as subjective disappointment rather than objective performance metrics.

Horsepower is an engineering measure of how much power an engine produces. In car discussions, “horsepower numbers” usually means comparing specs to judge performance, but the hosts say they’re ignoring that for this episode.

Lap times are how long it takes a car to complete one circuit of a track. They’re a common objective metric for performance, but the hosts explicitly say they’re not using them here.

In performance-car slang, “blown” usually means the engine is supercharged (i.e., it has a blower). It’s a shorthand for forced induction, which changes how the engine makes power and how it needs to be tuned.

“Fake tow straps” are decorative straps or strap-like accessories mounted to the front grille area to look like the car has tow recovery gear. They’re considered a bad mod because they’re not actually designed for real towing loads and can be unsafe if someone assumes they’re functional.

A tow hook is a real, load-rated attachment point used for towing or recovery (often screwed or bolted into the car’s front/rear). In this segment, the host describes a tow hook failing while towing a Ferrari across multiple lanes, highlighting the importance of using the correct, properly rated recovery hardware.

The Porsche 911 is known for its distinctive rear-engine layout and classic sports-car design. In this segment, they specifically mention the 911 having a real tow hook that’s mounted to the body, which is a detail relevant to how the car is equipped and serviced.

A “gunshot tune” is an aftermarket engine calibration that intentionally produces loud backfire-like pops on decel. It’s usually done by changing ignition timing and fuel delivery so unburned fuel ignites in the exhaust, creating the “gunfire” sound.

In engine tuning, “timing” refers to when the engine’s ignition spark occurs relative to piston position and crankshaft rotation. Aggressive timing changes can increase heat and stress, which is why the hosts warn it can damage the engine when paired with gunshot-style fueling.

Catalytic converters (“cats”) are emissions devices that reduce harmful exhaust gases by converting them into less harmful substances. The hosts warn that aggressive gunshot/burble tunes can overheat or damage the catalytic converters, leading to expensive replacement.

The BMW 335i is a turbocharged 3 Series variant known for aftermarket tuning popularity. Here it’s used as a specific example of how gunshot/burble-style modifications can be expensive because the catalytic converters (“cats”) can be damaged.

Magnaflow is an aftermarket exhaust brand known for catalytic converters and mufflers. The hosts reference Magnaflow pricing to illustrate how costly replacement catalytic converters can be after damage from aggressive exhaust-pop tunes.

This describes “afterburning” behavior where unburned (or partially burned) fuel ignites in the exhaust system instead of fully inside the cylinders. That can produce the crackling “gunshot” sound, but it also increases thermal stress on exhaust components.

“Washing down your cylinders” refers to fuel washing past the piston rings and diluting/stripping the oil film on cylinder walls. That can increase wear and contribute to oil contamination because the fuel ends up where it shouldn’t.

“Smoking cylinder wall” is a shorthand for oil/fuel-related smoke caused by poor lubrication and combustion byproducts. If fuel dilutes oil or oil control is compromised, you can get smoke and increased deposits from combustion in the cylinder area.

This means fuel is getting into the engine oil (fuel dilution), lowering oil viscosity and reducing lubrication quality. Over time, that can accelerate wear—especially on bearings—because the oil can’t protect as effectively.

A “burble” is the soft, rhythmic popping/crackling sound some engines make on overrun (lift-off) when fuel and air are managed to create that exhaust note. It’s distinct from harsher “gunshot” style pops because it’s usually less aggressive and more controlled.

The Audi Quattro refers to Audi’s Quattro system and related performance models, most famously associated with the 1980s era of rally-inspired technology. The podcast context mentions a “Quattro S4” and “anti-lag,” which points to how these cars could be tuned for sharper throttle response. It’s discussed because the Quattro name is strongly tied to traction and performance history.

Anti-lag is a turbocharged-engine strategy that keeps the turbo spinning during throttle lift (or between shifts) by feeding combustion energy to the exhaust. That produces a loud “crackle/pop” sound, but it’s extremely hard on engine components and exhaust hardware. It’s why enthusiasts associate anti-lag with aggressive racing setups rather than everyday driving.

“Spooled” describes how quickly a turbocharger reaches its target speed/boost pressure. Keeping the turbo spooled means minimizing turbo lag so the car responds immediately when you press the gas again. In anti-lag discussions, spooling is the performance goal behind the loud exhaust events.

Caliper covers are aftermarket pieces (often silicone or aluminum) that mount over the brake caliper to change the car’s appearance. They’re mainly cosmetic—your actual brake hardware underneath usually isn’t upgraded.

A brake caliper is the component that clamps brake pads against the rotor (disc) to create stopping force. The number of pistons (single/dual vs multi-piston) affects how the caliper applies pressure, which can influence braking feel and performance.

The Tesla Model S is an all-electric luxury sedan known for high performance and frequent software and hardware updates over its production life. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned in relation to performance variants and changes to parts like brakes (“Rembos”) and what was planned versus what actually shipped. That kind of discussion is common with the Model S because its configurations can evolve.

“Rembos” is a casual reference to Brembo, a well-known brake-brand name associated with performance brakes. The hosts use it to describe how the car’s brake branding/appearance was presented as higher-end hardware.

Mando is an automotive supplier that makes components such as brake calipers. In the segment, the hosts say Tesla switched the rear caliper supplier to Mando, which they argue changed the actual brake hardware while the car’s appearance was kept “performance-looking.”

Caliper Skins is an aftermarket brand that sells silicone caliper covers. The hosts mention it as part of how the “fake performance look” trend spread beyond the Tesla example.

Rough Country is an aftermarket parts company known for truck and off-road upgrades. In this segment, they’re cited as making caliper covers for trucks, showing the same cosmetic “performance look” idea exists outside passenger cars.

“Track chic” refers to a style trend where cars are made to look like they’re track-focused, even if the modifications are mostly cosmetic. The hosts criticize it as “fake” performance styling rather than functional upgrades.

The hosts debate whether “tuning” is inherently about making a car look more performance-oriented, even when the changes don’t improve aerodynamics or handling. They point to spoilers and body kits as examples of mods that may be more visual than effective.

A body kit is an aftermarket set of exterior panels—like bumpers, side skirts, and fender extensions—installed to change a car’s appearance. Depending on design, some kits can also affect airflow, but many are primarily cosmetic.

A spoiler is an aerodynamic add-on mounted to the trunk or rear deck to influence airflow and reduce lift. In the segment, spoilers are brought up as part of the “track look” trend that may not provide meaningful real-world performance.

The Dodge Charger is a full-size American muscle car that’s known for strong straight-line performance and a long history in motorsports and pop culture. It often comes up in conversations about iconic styling details and enthusiast modifications, like the distinctive rear wing setups mentioned in the podcast context. That makes it a frequent topic when people talk about classic muscle-car aesthetics and performance builds.

A Gurney flap is a small, upright tab added to the trailing edge of an aerodynamic surface (like a spoiler or wing) to increase downforce. It’s a simple-looking change that can noticeably affect airflow, which is why it shows up in performance aero designs.

Mopar is the Chrysler/Fiat Chrysler Automobiles performance and parts brand identity (and a shorthand for the company’s enthusiast culture). In this context, the hosts are saying the Gurney-flap/wing style trend spreads across “Mopar” cars and beyond.

Bumper covers are the outer plastic panels that form the visible bumper shape on many modern cars. The hosts mention leaving them on “for the corners,” implying a trend of keeping stock-looking trim rather than doing a more purposeful aero/track setup.

The segment discusses “red seat belts” as a cosmetic mod that’s meant to make a car look more like a race car. They also point out that the seat belt’s core safety function doesn’t change just because the color does.

The speaker references Aston’s race team, using “Aston” as shorthand for Aston Martin’s motorsport presence. In racing, visual cues like colored seat belts are often used to match a team’s livery and branding.

“Eight piston” refers to a brake caliper design with eight pistons total (typically multiple pistons on each side of the caliper). More pistons can help distribute clamping force and improve brake feel, but the hosts imply people use brake-size claims as a visual/marketing flex.

A “rotor” is the spinning metal disc the brake pads clamp onto to slow the car. The speaker says they measure from the bottom of the rotor, which is a way of estimating brake hardware size.

“Smokestacks” on a pickup truck bed are aftermarket vertical exhaust-style decorations that mimic classic diesel stacks. They’re often purely visual (or at least not functional like real exhaust stacks), and the hosts are calling them out as an over-the-top, non-functional mod trend.

Overrun noise is the popping, crackling, or other exhaust sounds that happen when you lift off the throttle. Many performance exhaust setups and engine tunes can make this more noticeable by changing fuel and ignition behavior during deceleration.

SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is a major U.S. trade show focused on aftermarket parts and car customization. At events like SEMA, you often see modified cars being demonstrated, which is why loud or disruptive behavior can be a safety issue.

“Rev your shit” refers to repeatedly raising engine RPM while the car is stationary or not under load. In a crowded event setting, doing this can be disruptive and can also increase the risk of hearing damage or other safety problems.

“Rev off” refers to cutting the engine’s revs abruptly—typically by lifting off the throttle and letting the engine decelerate quickly. In car culture, it’s often associated with loud, aggressive engine behavior (sometimes from aftermarket exhaust or engine management).

“Huntington” appears to be a local car-event or meetup location the hosts are referencing. It’s mentioned as part of the conversation about where certain behaviors (like loud starts or showy antics) happen.

A “cold start” is starting an engine when it’s at ambient temperature (not warmed up yet). Some owners intentionally do loud or dramatic cold starts because the engine sound is more noticeable before everything reaches operating temperature.

“DDE guys” refers to the DDE (Dirty Deeds) crew, known for posting car content—often featuring loud, attention-getting behavior and event culture. Here, the hosts use them as an example of the trend they’re criticizing.

The Audi S8 is a high-performance version of the A8 luxury sedan, built to deliver strong power while still being comfortable. In this segment, it’s mentioned as a “quiet” car inside the cabin, contrasting with louder setups.

The Volkswagen Vanagon is a classic air-cooled-era-to-transitional VW camper/van platform known for its long-distance cruising vibe. In this discussion it’s brought up as being “pretty quiet,” again used to contrast against louder modified cars.

“Switchable valve” refers to exhaust valves that can open or close to change exhaust flow and sound. When the valves are closed, the car is quieter; when opened, it lets the exhaust breathe more freely for a louder, more aggressive tone.

Open headers means running exhaust headers without the rest of the exhaust system (like mufflers/catalysts), which typically produces extremely loud sound. It’s used here as the “worst” baseline for noise compared with a more controlled exhaust.

“Decel popping” is the crackling/bang sound some cars make when you lift off the throttle and the engine is slowing down. It’s usually caused by unburned fuel and/or exhaust gases igniting in the exhaust system, often influenced by aftermarket exhaust, engine tuning, or intake/exhaust changes.

“Ghost cams” refers to a camshaft setup that creates an aggressive-sounding idle/lope, but doesn’t necessarily deliver the expected real-world performance. The “ghost” part is that the sound and look are the main effect, while the engine behavior may feel mild or inconsistent. It’s often discussed as a mod trend because it can be more about attention than drivability.

The Ford F-150 is a popular full-size pickup truck, widely used for work and everyday driving. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as being “choppy,” which points to how trucks can feel different than cars depending on suspension and tire setup. It’s a common reference because the F-150 is everywhere and often appears in media and local driving experiences.

In this context, “choppy” describes an uneven, lumpy engine idle—often associated with camshaft timing/valvetrain changes or other combustion/airflow characteristics. Enthusiasts use it to describe how the engine “lope” sounds and feels at low RPM.

“Coyote” is the enthusiast nickname for Ford’s 5.0L V8 (the “Coyote” engine family) used in models like the Mustang and also found in some F-150 applications. The hosts connect the “choppy” idle sound to a Coyote, then note it was completely stock—highlighting how even factory setups can produce an aggressive idle.

“Installing cams” refers to swapping the camshaft(s) for different profiles, which changes valve timing and lift. That can improve power in certain RPM ranges, but it often trades off idle quality and drivability if the cam is too aggressive for the rest of the setup.

A loppy/lopey idle is a rough, uneven idle caused by an aggressive cam profile that keeps the engine from producing steady vacuum and torque at low RPM. Enthusiasts sometimes like the sound and feel, but it can also make accessories like air conditioning struggle at idle.

In many cars, vacuum is used to operate accessories like brake boosters and HVAC controls. If an engine doesn’t make enough vacuum—often due to an aggressive cam—it can lead to weak braking assist and other drivability issues.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an all-electric version of the classic Bus concept, combining a retro look with modern electric power. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as a Volkswagen the speaker had, which fits how the ID. Buzz stands out as a distinctive EV choice compared to more typical electric cars. It’s discussed because it’s a recognizable, family-oriented electric vehicle with a unique design.

A cam profile describes the shape of a camshaft’s lobes, which controls valve timing and how long the valves stay open. An aggressive cam profile can make idle and low-RPM operation unstable, so adding an engine load like air conditioning can cause stalling.

The Porsche 935 is a famous Le Mans–era race car built on the 911 platform, known for its purpose-built turbocharged setup and aggressive track focus. In this segment, it’s mentioned as an example of a “race Porsche” the speaker didn’t grow up seeing, so it didn’t stick in their head.

A rev drop is a noticeable decrease in engine RPM over a short period. In cold-start situations, RPM can fall as the engine transitions from its initial start-up strategy to a more stable idle.

A flywheel is a heavy rotating component that stores rotational energy and helps smooth out engine speed. Using a very thin or lightweight flywheel changes the engine’s crank behavior and can make the startup sound sharper and more “race-like.”

The starter is the electric motor that cranks the engine to get it running. The hosts describe using a “special starter” (a micro starter) to provide the torque needed for a modified setup, which also affects the character of the startup sound.

The Suzuki Samurai is a small, rugged off-road-capable SUV that became popular for its lightweight design and trail potential. The podcast context mentions a “weird sound,” which fits how older, modified, or exhaust-changed Samurais can sound distinctive. It’s discussed because it’s a common base for simple off-road builds and customization.

High compression refers to an engine design where the air-fuel mixture is compressed more before ignition. Higher compression typically makes starting harder and can change the sound and feel of cranking, which is why the hosts link it to the “race car” startup noise.

Torque is the twisting force that makes an engine (or starter) rotate. The hosts connect torque to why a micro starter can still work: it must deliver enough twisting force to spin the engine fast enough to start.

“Chop” refers to an intentionally uneven exhaust/engine sound, often created by controlling ignition and fuel cut behavior. When someone says “fake ass chop,” they’re criticizing setups that simulate the sound without the underlying driving/engine conditions that would normally produce it.

“Stolen Valor” is a metaphor here: the hosts are arguing that certain mod trends are copying the look/sound of a real race car or serious performance setup without actually having the real capability behind it. In other words, it’s performance cosplay rather than genuine track-oriented engineering.

An overhead cam (OHC) engine uses camshafts located in the cylinder head to actuate the valves. When someone says “overhead cam V8,” they mean a V8 engine with that OHC valve-train layout, which can affect how the engine sounds and how it revs.

“Quad valve” typically means a cylinder has four valves—usually two intake and two exhaust. In a “quad valve V8,” that four-valve-per-cylinder layout is applied across the V8’s cylinders, which can support higher airflow and changes in how the engine breathes and sounds.

“Squat trucks” refers to a stance modification where the rear of a pickup sits noticeably lower than the front. This is usually achieved with suspension changes (like lowering the rear or altering ride height), and it can affect ride quality, tire wear, and drivability.

An EV swap is converting a non-electric car—often a classic or performance model—to use an electric powertrain instead of its original engine. The hosts are debating it as a mod trend because it can change the car’s original character and driving “feel.”

EV West is an electric vehicle conversion company known for EV conversions and swap kits for enthusiast cars. In the segment, they’re referenced as the source behind an EV-swapped Baja bug and an E36 drift car.

“Zero to 60 times” are acceleration measurements: how long a car takes to go from 0 mph to 60 mph. They’re commonly used as a quick benchmark for straight-line speed, but they don’t tell you everything about how the car drives.

Nitrous oxide (often called “nitrous”) is a compressed gas used to temporarily boost engine power. When injected into the intake, it increases the amount of oxygen available for combustion, which can make a car feel dramatically faster for a short period.

Lucid is an EV brand known for fast, high-power electric drivetrains. In the segment, the hosts reference riding in a Lucid vehicle to illustrate how “instant” speed can feel exciting at first but become less interesting after repeated runs.

“Ecotech” appears to be the hosts’ shorthand for an Ecotec-family engine. The key point in the segment is that the Baja Bug is using a modern engine platform (Ecotec) paired with a turbo, rather than a stock air-cooled Beetle engine.

A turbocharger (often shortened to “turbo”) uses exhaust gas to spin a turbine that forces more air into the engine. That lets a smaller engine make more power, which is why the hosts describe the setup as “terrifying” in the modified Baja Bug.

The hosts are talking about battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), which run only on electricity stored in a battery pack. The debate is that, in their view, electric powertrains don’t create the same excitement as traditional performance formats, so events built around them may feel less compelling to spectators.

“No one cares racing” is the hosts’ joking reference to a specific electric-racing series. They’re using the phrase to argue that electric racing hasn’t captured mainstream attention the way Formula 1 does.

EV means electric vehicle—cars powered primarily by electric motors and a battery pack instead of a gasoline or diesel engine. In motorsport and car culture, EV also became a major “trend” investment area, which the hosts say many people rushed into and later backed away from.

Formula One (F1) is the top tier of international open-wheel racing, with strict technical rules and huge engineering budgets. When the hosts mention F1 in the context of EVs and “going back to it,” they’re referring to how F1’s technology direction influences what manufacturers and teams choose to develop.

ICE engines means internal combustion engines—engines that burn fuel (like gasoline or diesel) to make power. The hosts contrast ICE with EVs when discussing what manufacturers do in racing and how some companies reconsidered their long-term plans.

“Straight air mode” refers to a setting on air-suspension systems that controls how the suspension behaves using the air system. In practice, it’s used to manage ride height and stance, often for aggressive lowering or show positioning. The hosts mention it in the context of a “kid rock” briefing, implying it’s a specific air-suspension feature or mode.

“Lifted” trucks have their suspension raised, which increases ground clearance and lets them fit larger wheels and tires. In the context of these SEMA-style builds, the lift is often extreme, changing the truck’s stance and ride characteristics.

Stretched tires are when the tire is mounted with less sidewall “bulge” than normal, typically by fitting a wider wheel than the tire is designed for. This creates a tighter, flatter look on the rim, but it can reduce ride comfort and increase the risk of tire damage if driven hard or on rough roads.

“Hawaiian style” is a regional customization vibe associated with trucks and SUVs that are often lifted and fitted with larger tires, reflecting local car culture. In this segment, it’s used as a contrast to avoid stereotyping or “knocking” Hawaii while discussing the naming of their truck trend.

The sidewall is the tire’s outer wall between the tread and the rim. In the context of “super thin, stretched,” emphasizing sidewall usually means preferring a more normal tire shape with more protective rubber.